Napa, CA — In a move that has left experts and local officials scratching their heads, President Donald Trump announced his intention to reopen the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, proposing to rebuild the historic island prison to house some of the nation’s most dangerous criminals. The announcement, made via social media on Sunday, has sparked widespread skepticism, with many questioning the practicality, legality, and financial feasibility of such an ambitious plan.

In his post, Trump stated that he had directed several federal agencies to “substantially” enlarge and reconstruct Alcatraz to accommodate “America’s most ruthless and violent criminals.” The former prison, which ceased operations in 1963 after housing notorious criminals such as Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly, is now a popular tourist destination managed by the National Park Service.

The proposal was quickly met with criticism from a variety of political leaders and experts. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, a representative of San Francisco, dismissed Trump’s plan as “not a serious one,” while California State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) called the idea “absurd,” warning it could lead to the creation of a “domestic gulag” on the historic island.

“If Trump is serious about doing this, it’s just one more step in his dismantling of democracy,” Wiener said in a statement, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. “A prison on Alcatraz Island would be an impractical and deeply troubling step backwards.”

Despite these widespread objections, federal officials have pledged to assess the viability of the proposal. William K. Marshall III, the newly appointed director of the Bureau of Prisons, said that the agency would “vigorously pursue” the president’s vision. Marshall added, “I have ordered an immediate assessment to determine our needs and the next steps,” underscoring the administration’s commitment to the project.

A History of Challenges

Alcatraz, which operated as a federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963, was known for housing some of the most dangerous criminals of its time. However, the prison’s closure was prompted by a series of logistical challenges, including its high operating costs and remote location. In its final years, the facility’s upkeep was estimated to require between $3 million and $5 million in maintenance—an amount that far exceeded the costs of other federal prisons.

The Bureau of Prisons noted that essential supplies such as food and water had to be transported to the island by boat, and the island’s lack of a natural water source made it an even greater financial burden.

“Nearly one million gallons of water had to be barged to the island each week,” the Bureau explained. “In the end, the federal government determined that it was more cost-effective to build a new institution than to keep Alcatraz open.”

Since its closure, Alcatraz has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, drawing more than a million visitors annually. The island has been managed by the National Park Service since 1972 and remains a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

An Impractical Proposal?

Despite the federal government’s enthusiasm for the plan, many experts argue that reopening Alcatraz as a prison would be an impractical and expensive endeavor. John Martini, a historian with extensive knowledge of Alcatraz, emphasized the considerable structural and logistical challenges that would need to be addressed.

“The building itself is totally inoperable,” Martini told the San Francisco Chronicle. “It doesn’t have water or sewage systems. It would require enormous reconstruction, and that would only bring it up to 1963 standards. It was always an extremely expensive place to run.”

Martini further pointed out that Alcatraz’s rocky, barren terrain makes it unsuitable for modern infrastructure. “There is no soil to drill into,” he said, referencing the island’s natural features. “The idea that we’re going to forget all of these challenges and pick up where we left off in the 1960s is just unrealistic.”

Legal analysts have also warned that the plan would likely face a series of lawsuits, especially due to the island’s designation as a National Historic Landmark. Gregg Jarret, a legal analyst for Fox News, explained that the project could be “tied up in legal battles for years.” He also noted that while Alcatraz is federal property, the overwhelming challenges in restoring it as a functioning prison would likely stall the process indefinitely.

“Removing its historical designation would require extensive legal work and could take years,” Jarret added. “It’s a provocative idea, no doubt, but the practical realities of carrying it out seem to be insurmountable.”

The Financial Burden

The financial cost of reviving Alcatraz as a federal penitentiary is another major point of contention. Critics have questioned the necessity of such a project, particularly given the existence of modern supermax prisons, which are already capable of housing high-risk offenders.

Tramir Dunn, a visitor to the island, expressed his disbelief at the proposal. “What would be the point? Who would pay for that?” Dunn asked. “We already have enough supermax prisons. Why rebuild something that’s essentially a historical relic?”

The Road Ahead

While President Trump’s proposal has captured attention, it remains unclear whether the plan will advance beyond the early stages. The logistical, financial, and legal hurdles are significant, and many remain doubtful that the project will come to fruition. However, given the president’s past penchant for bold, controversial statements, this latest suggestion may be another attempt to provoke debate and stir up political division.

For now, Alcatraz remains a symbol of the past—its future uncertain as the debate over its potential resurrection continues.